Clutch mechanism for sign changers



Jan; 8, 1929. I 1,698,416

P. REISS CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR SIGN CHANGERS Filed Jan. 5, 1927 2Sheets-Sheet 1 BY at 22 Wok EY Jan. 8', 1929.

P. REISS CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR SIGN CHANGERS Filed Jan. 5, 1927 2Sheets-Sheetv 2 (PM 72 .INYENTOR ATTO NEY Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

UNITED TAT PATE- rmir. nnrss, on BROOKLYN, new YonK, AssIGNon TO VIKINGmoon A1\TD MAGHI1\TR 00., mo. on BROOKLYN, new YORK, A CORPORATION onNEW yonx.

CLUTCH MECHANISM non SIGN CHANGERS.

Application filed January 5, 1927. Serial No. 159,172.

My invention relates to clutches for use in apparatus for successivelyexhibiting a plurality ofsigns and it is my object to produce a-clutchfor such apparatus which may-be controlled from a remote point, ifdesired, and which will operate to remove one sign and substituteanother therefor. The invention is particularly applicable to changlngthe announcement cards in vaudeville theatres and is so constructed thatthe stage manager may change the sign visible to the audlence by simplyclosing a conveniently located electric switch.

In the drawing Fig. 1 isa front view of my sign changer a portion of theframe be1ng broken away; Fig. 2 a View of the structure of Fig. 1 on theline 22 thereof; Fig. 3 a

View of the structure of Fig. 1 on the line 33 thereof, the parts havingrevolved to a new position; Fig. 4 a view of the structure of Fig. 1 onthe line 4-4 thereof; Fig. 5 a detall view of the magnet latch and tripand Fig.

6 a sectional View of the shaft mechanism.

As is common to sign changers ofthis type the apparatus consists of aframe lhaving grooved uprights 2 and 3 in which the signs 8 slide. Ashaft 4 at the top carries sprocket wheels 5 and 6 and a like shaft 7 atthe bottom carries sprocket wheels 8 and 9. Chains 3o 10 and 11 run overthese sprockets and carry pins 12 which engage lugs on the sign framesto lift the signs to the upper part of the frame and to draw down thesign at the top after exhibition. These'movements are all old and wellknown in the art andwill not be described. in'detail, my invention beingconfined to the apparatus for starting'and stopping the travel of thechains.

A source of power, such as electric motor 20 drives a worm gear 21 andis constantly running. The worm gear shaft 22 carries a ratchet wheel 23which is continuously revolving. A disk 24 is mounted on a shaft 25which shaft is free to revolve independently of the shaft 22 and a gear26 is also mounted on the shaft 25 which gear meshes with a gear 27 onthe sprocket wheel shaft 7.

The disk 24 has a notch 28 (see Fig. 1)

in its edge and an arm 29 is pivoted to the frame and pulled upwardly bya spring 30. A roller 31 is mounted in a slot 32 in the arm 29 inposition to bear on the edge of the disk and when the notch and rollerare engaged the sign on display is properly centered in the frame, theslot 32, in which the roller is locked, permitting accurate adjustmentat this position.

The disk 24 carries a dog 33 on one face which is adapted to engage theratchet wheel I 23 and a latch 34 on the opposite face. The

dog and latch are solidly mounted on a short shaft 35 which is free tooscillate on the disk so that the dog and latch will rise and fall as aunit. A trip 36 whose nose 37 is in the with the roller 31 in the notch28. The nose of the latch is against the trip 36 holding the dog 33 outof engagement with the ratchet wheel 23. When the circuit is closed toenergize the magnet 40 the nose 37 of the trip swings clear of the latch34 .and the spring 42 pulls the dog 33 into engagement with the ratchetwheel 23. This clutches the disk and ratchet wheel together and theyrevolve as a unit driving the shaft 7 through one revolution therebychanging the signs by drawing down the one on exhibition and lifting upthe one to be shown. When the current is cut off the spring 41 will pullthe nose of the trip back into the path of the latch and when the latchstrikes the trip the dog will be lifted out of engagement with theratchet wheel and the disk, gears and sprocket wheel shaft will come toa stop with the notch in the disk engaging the roller on the arm.

By this means the signs are changed at any desired time by simplytouching a conveniently located switch. If desired the switch can bepermanently closed and the signs continuously changed without furtherattention, but the device is peculiarly adapted for the successiveexhibitionof signs at irregular intervals of time and under the controlof an operator.

I claim Control means for sign changers comprising a constantly drivenshaft, a ratchet wheel thereon, a second shaft independently revolvableand alined with the first shaft, a notched edge disk on the second shaftadjacent the ratchet Wheel, an arm, a roller on said arm bearing on thedisk edge, means for adjusting the position of the roller on the arm, ashort shaft extending through said disk, a dog on one end of the shortshaft adapted to engage the ratchet Wheel, a latch on the short shaft onthe opposite face of the disk, a trip in the path of travel of thelatch,

In testimony. whereof Ihave affixed my signature.

PAUL REISS.

